❤ Student Testimonials❤

❤ I'm being very objective, even though she is my daughter, when I say that the angels smile and the birds sing and the sun shines brighter when my daughter is around... but that's just being objective........of course. ~ Albert Cruz - 2012

❤ Ashley, I want to thank you for our session yesterday. I woke up this morning with absolutely no pain in my neck and with a lighter feeling in my chest. I feel as if with more practice, I will truly heal myself. When I walk around town I can't help but hear your words in my head about gratitude for the moments and people in our life. I literally said thank you out loud while I watched a leaf fall on the ground. I don't think I would have been aware of that leaf falling if I hadn't done yoga with you yesterday. I feel refreshed. I feel so happy. Thank you! ~ J - 2012 (Public Class)

❤ Blessed Yoga is a Blessed Experience: in a beautiful location/surroundings, one feels immersed in an ayuvedic lifestyle. Ashley's knowledge of yoga is extensive and her passion is overflowing, but the greatest gift is her ability to bring it right here, right now, on the mat, applicable to 21st century life. Ashley is generous with her time and deeply committed to her students' growth. Finally, Suggested rates are very economical for the value of guidance and instruction received. ~ Glenn Farley - 2013 (Private Class/Ayurveda Consultation/Public Class Student)

❤ One would be honored to practice with an extraordinary teacher such as Ashley. Her knowledge, commitment and passion for yoga is present in all she does and teaches. She has a gift to be able to help and guide each individual with their own yoga practice. I feel blessed to have found Blessed Yoga! ~ Ruthy B. - 2013 (Yoga for Mom Student)

❤ It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Ashley practicing yoga. She truly cares about each person in the class and tries to suit her class to each students individual needs. She is also very knowledgable with essential oils which I find fascinating. I'm also doing poses and yoga I never thought possible. Ashley is abundant with her knowledge of yoga, her compassion for her students and her love for teaching. Thank you Ashley!!!! ! Danielle G. - 2013 (Yoga for Mom Student)

❤ I love our weekly yoga sessions with Ashley's guidance and instruction. She is super knowledgeable with the power of breath, with the asanas, with essential oils and with offering the balance of a strong engaging practice complimented with tranquility and peace. She holds the sacred space beautifully while our kiddo's run around without getting distracted and honors our needs as mom's to come in and out of the practice when needed to attend to our little ones. I am so grateful for our weekly practice together for both myself and for my son. Thank you, Ashley! Namaste. ~ Devani Paige - 2013(Yoga for Mom Student)

❤ We have been taking our Western Spirit Enrichment Center retreat guests to Ashley's yoga classes for several weeks now. Ashley is extremely knowledgeable about many types of yoga, and also essential oils. She challenges her students to go to the edge, but is quite gentle when required. We love her oil applications and chanting before and during the class. Ashley truly cares for her students' well-being and motivates them to improve their spiritual, physical and emotional health. She is truly an inspiration! We are sad to see her depart for MN for the summer. ~ Garrett L. (Small group yoga class student) 2013

❤ Ashley is such a blessing in the yoga world. She brings a fresh and conscious approach to class with her extensive knowledge and heart. Not only is she a phenomenal yogi,she is an awesome teacher as well. She holds a very safe and honest space for deeper practice to unfold. An inspiration. ~ Nicole W. (Review on Yelp) 2011-2014

❤ I had the pleasure of practicing with Ashley Cruz in Sedona, Arizona in the winter/spring of 2012. Not only is she a well-rounded teacher, well versed in a myriad of yoga styles, she has a true gift of listening to and tuning into students of all levels. In addition, I’ve witnessed her adaptability to various class needs in which she demonstrated her ability to tailor each practice accordingly. Finally, as a true practitioner on an authentic journey, her dedication to the 8 limbs of yoga and full embodiment of the yoga journey is inspiring and infectious. In short, her embodiment of strength, humility, grace and beauty would make her an essential part of a yoga school. ~ Jenn Clemente 2012-2013

❤ In 2012-2013, I was a student of Ashley Cruz of Blessed Yoga; in Sedona, AZ. I regularly attended Ashley's group class at the local yoga studio; and I worked with Ashley via private one-on-one yoga instruction. Ashley's group classes were extremely popular and always filled up the room. Importantly, other yoga teachers often took Ashley classes; which is an indication of her skills, her presence, and the respect she garnered from her peers. In the group class, Ashley displayed the unique ability to be welcoming to beginning students as well as to challenge more experienced students. In one-on-one instruction, Ashley was gentle with me (as I was a beginner at the time,) yet focused on the goal I had of improving my asana practice. In addition, she was knowledgeable in sharing Ayurvedic wisdom with me in regards to my diet and lifestyle to support my overall yoga practice. I had the strong, felt impression that she was deeply committed to my growth. Ashley Cruz would be a blessing to any organizational setting in which she is teaching yoga. ~ Glenn F. 2012-2013

❤ I was lucky enough to hear about Ashley's class at Yogisthaan here in Bangalore, India. I had heard about her classes from a colleague & my curiosity led me to her. The class was packed, something unusual for this studio & which created a lot of excited energy in the space. Ashley's class begins gently with breathing & stretching, in... out..., permitting you to slow the breath, the body & the mind. She speaks softly & her compassion lends itself to the feeling of peace & tranquility that will begin to take you over as the class progresses through sun salutations & into asana work. She often mentions the Yoga Sutras & incorporates the yamas into her classes. She is a master of asanas, or postures, & seems happy to demonstrate these & more challenging anatomical variations to the students without leaving any sense of inadequacy in one's own abilities, only with a desire to progress within oneself. All of her classes end with a wonderful sequence of relaxation. She works through the breath combined with aromatherapy & massage to relax every part of the body, & in so doing, reaches the mind & spirit. I always leave her classes with a sense of well-being & peacefulness. She will be missed in India... ~ Sunil Kumar - Yoga Teacher in Bangalore, India 2015

﻿❤ From aldea yanapay (great school of love to children), the incredible homely hostal la boheme, the food at mercado san blas and at greenpoint.. my 6 weeks in cusco/qosqo/centre/gravitational centre were all truly well balanced out by the epic yoga room. ■ I have been doing yoga for 5 years in london, lisbon and nyc and I was wonderfully surprised by the teachers Ashley and Kat. from their words, to the sense of opportunity, helping, the pace, the getting everyone's names and brief "why am I here", taste for music and simply those oils... vinyasa gained a new look for me. ● you guys made me feel so balanced out, just when I needed that push. may your excellent work continue and your knowledge be taken further (; Yours, ana maria (portugal) ~ Ana Valinho, Student at The Yoga Room in Cusco, Peru 2015

An Expression of Gratitude

Iam eternally grateful to my teachers and students for bringing light into my life. Special thanks to the many teachers who have shined upon me, specifically: Shraddhasagar who initiated me into Vipassana meditation and Chakra Yoga, Zac Occhilinewhose guidance was transcendental and who has led me through months of my own personal sadhana... you are truly my guru; Mira Murphy for her sweet and intelligent guidance into the world of Ayurvedic cooking, Jeff Masters for explaining to me the importance of learning about the anatomy and physiology of a yogi's body, Hari Jap who initiated me into Kundalini Yoga, and last but definitely not least, Sonali Gangadean who initiated me into Ashtanga Yoga and provided me with my first experience of yoga, may she receive many blessings for that. And last but not least, my teachers Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his daughter Saraswathi Jois for integrating Ashtanga yoga into my bones. I'd also like to share my love and gratitude for my Grandmother who introduced me to the ancient ways at a young age, Paramahansa Yogananda, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Yogi Bhajan, Goenka, Osho, and most importantly, my beloved, who knew my heart and soul truly thrived in yoga and gently guided me towards my destiny/dharma.

My dynamic and inspiring teachers have taught me to live with compassion for my students and to have a sincere regard for their healing. As a catalyst for transformation they have encouraged my own self–empowerment and self–awareness, helping me to love and thrive through life’s many challenges. As a result my attention is on interweaving prana, life force, breath, physical alignment, mental wellness and energetic flow to support a full and complete living sadhana, spiritual practice; within myself and within my students, on and off the mat. I teach and learn based on intelligent intuitive sequencing and applied spiritual wisdom.

My intention in teaching is to hold space for others’ awakening and healing. On a path lit by mentors in sacred wisdom traditions and a community of radically awakening spirit, I bow to my teachers in all forms.

~ Ashley, E-RYT 500

“As we learn to slow down and soften the rough edges of our body and mind, a deepening of awareness begins to flow. Healing happens spontaneously with the blossoming of awareness.”

Mantra of the Moment

The Gayatri mantra is one of the oldest known prayers with its origin in the Upanishads and has been passed down orally in the Hindu tradition for centuries. It has brought me much peace. A traditional translation is as follows:

Oh God, the Protector, the basis of all life, Who is self-existent, Who is free from all pains and Whose contact frees the soul from all troubles, Who pervades the Universe and sustains all, the Creator and Energizer of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Pure and the Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He may direct our mental faculties in the right direction.

❤ Feeling the Love... Share the Love ❤

Feel free to share your thoughts on this wall about yoga, Blessed Yoga, Ashley, or anything in general via message or in person. You may also use this space to ask any detailed questions about the services that are offered at Blessed Yoga. We would love to hear from you. Also, if you experienced a class with Ashley, either in her own studio, the park, or in a local studio, feel free to share your Blessed Yoga experience with others on Facebook --> HERE.

"Even after all this timethe sun never says to the earth, "You owe Me."Look what happens with a love like that,It lights up the Whole Sky."~ Hafiz

Blessed Yoga is Social!

What Students of Blessed Yoga Have to Say:

﻿﻿❤ ~ Ana Valinho, Student in Cusco, Peru 2015

"From Aldea Yanapay (great school of love to children), to the incredible homely hostel la boheme, to the food at mercado san blas and at greenpoint... My 6 weeks in Cusco/Qosqo/centre/gravitational centre were all truly well balanced out by Ashley ● I have been doing yoga for five years in London, Lisbon and NYC and I was wonderfully surprised by the teacher Ashley at the Yoga Room in Cusco, Peru. From her words, to the sense of opportunity, helping, the pace, the getting everyone's names and brief "why am I here", taste for music and simply those oils... vinyasa gained a new look for me. ● You made me feel so balanced out, just when I needed that push. May your excellent work continue and your knowledge be taken further."​~ Yours, ana maria (portugal) ~ Ana Valinho, Student in Cusco, Peru 2015